Universal Puzzle Controller
General info[edit | edit source]
The puzzle controller is the brain of every puzzle. The Universal puzzle controller (“Universal” for short) is a device created primarily for Escape Room owners. With the use of sensors and output sets, the Universal allows you to create hundreds of puzzles.
User interface[edit | edit source]
Owner’s manual UNIVERSAL puzzle controller[edit | edit source]
Important safety instructions:[edit | edit source]
1. To assure the finest performance, please read these instructions carefully. Keep it in a safe place for future reference.
2. Install devices in a well-ventilated, cool, dry, clean place and away from direct sunlight, heat sources, vibration, dust, moisture and cold. For proper ventilation, allow the following minimum clearances. Top: 30 cm Rear: 10 cm Sides: 10 cm.
3. Locate this unit away from other electrical appliances, motors, or transformers.
4. Do not expose this unit to sudden temperature changes from cold to hot, and do not locate this unit in an environment with high humidity (i.e. a room with a humidifier) to prevent condensation inside this unit, which may cause an electrical shock, fire, damage to this unit, and/or personal injury.
5. Avoid installing this unit where a foreign object may fall onto this unit and/or this unit may be exposed to liquid dripping or splashing. On top of this unit, do not place: – Other components, as they may cause damage and/or discoloration on the surface of this unit. – Burning objects (i.e. candles), as they may cause fire, damage to this unit, and/or personal injury. – Containers with liquid in them, as they may fall and liquid may cause electrical shock to the user and/or damage to this unit.
6. Do not cover this unit with a newspaper, tablecloth, curtain, etc. in order not to obstruct heat radiation. If the temperature inside this unit rises, it may cause fire, damage to this unit, and/or personal injury.
7. Do not plug in this unit to a wall outlet until all connections are complete.
8. Do not operate this unit upside-down. It may overheat, possibly causing damage.
9. Do not use force on switches, knobs and/or cords.
10. When disconnecting the power cable from the wall outlet, grasp the plug; do not pull the cable.
11. Do not clean this unit with chemical solvents; this might damage the finish. Use a clean, dry cloth.
12. Only voltage specified on this unit must be used. Using this unit with a higher voltage than specified is dangerous and may cause fire, damage to this unit, and/or personal injury. Escape Room Supplier will not be held responsible for any damage resulting from the use of this unit with a voltage other than specified.
13. Do not attempt to modify or fix this unit. Contact qualified Escape Room Supplier service personnel when any service is needed. The cabinet should never be opened for any reason.
14. When not planning to use this unit for long periods of time (i.e. vacation), disconnect the AC power plug from the wall outlet.
15. Escape Room Supplier is excluded from the obligation to apply the provisions of the Act of 11 September 2015 on waste electrical and electronic equipment, as the goods offered by the Escape Room Supplier are equipment specially designed and installed as part of the device, to which the provisions of the Act do not apply and which can fulfil its function only as part of the device.
16. This product is compatible only with sensors, output sets and extensions avaliable in the Escape Room Supplier offer. Do not connect any devices that come from another source.
17. To power up this product use only power supply EBD2412 (or another with the same specification).
Unpacking:[edit | edit source]
Check your product box for the following items. If there are any missing parts, contact us via e-mail: hello@escaperoomsupplier.com
Universal puzzle controller’s versions[edit | edit source]
U4L0211b – Universal puzzle controller with 2 ports[edit | edit source]
U4L0611b – Universal puzzle controller with 6 ports[edit | edit source]
U4L1011b – Universal puzzle controller with 10 ports[edit | edit source]
U4L1411b – Universal puzzle controller with 14 ports[edit | edit source]
Setting up the Universal puzzle controller[edit | edit source]
1. Use Ethernet cables (included with every sensor) to connect all the sensors you need to the Universal.
2. Use Ethernet cables and output modules (included with every output set) to connect all the output sets you need to the Universal. The output module is potential free. This means you can attach 110-240 V lights, lamps, pumps, etc. The maximum current is 10 A. You can attach LEDs, electromagnets for 12-24 V – any voltage up to 250 V.
2.1 If you need sound features, connect the provided USB flash drive to the USB port, and speakers to the audio jack.
2.2 If you need network features, connect your router to the Universal via Ethernet cable (make sure it is plugged into the silver Ethernet port).
3. Plug a power supply (included with every Universal) to the Universal puzzle controller. Then, plug each output set’s power plug to a power outlet.
Sensors – Ethernet cable[edit | edit source]
Sensors detect actions players have to make to solve the puzzle. It can be a button that needs to be pushed, an RFID sensor that works with the corresponding RFID item, or a Hands and Body sensor that detects human body.
Plug any sensors you want to the Universal with Ethernet cables. We provide 1 m Ethernet cable for every sensor.
Output sets – Ethernet cable + output module[edit | edit source]
After players solve a puzzle, they need some reward. You can use the Electromagnet output set to open a secret passage or LED lights to reveal a hidden message. Complete your puzzle by using output sets that move players forward in their puzzle-solving adventure.
An output set has a cable with a green screw terminal. It can be connected with the Universal via an output module and an Ethernet cable (both included with every output set).
You can easily change how some of the output sets work by changing the wires on their green screw terminal. For example, you can set the LED Lights output set to be lit BEFORE the puzzle is solved, and turn off AFTER players manage to solve it.
If you want to change it, use a screwdriver (included with every order) and replace the top or the bottom wire:
GAME MODES[edit | edit source]
For the tutorial, see our video: UNIVERSAL PUZZLE CONTROLLER - tutorial
Game Mode 1 – STATE[edit | edit source]
In the STATE Game Mode, you need to trigger all the sensors at the same time to activate the output set.
Setting up the STATE Game Mode:
1. Trigger the sensors which solve the puzzle.
2. Hold the teaching button until the number 1 is displayed.
3. Release the teaching button.
4. Every time the selected sensors remain triggered at the same time, the output set will be activated.
Example:
Put 4 RFID tags on the RFID sensors to turn on the UV Lights output set. It will be turned off if at least one sensor is deactivated.
Game Mode 2 – SEQUENCE[edit | edit source]
In the SEQUENCE Game Mode, you need to trigger sensors in the correct order to activate the output set.
Setting up the SEQUENCE Game Mode:
1. Press and hold the teaching button until the number 2 is displayed.
2. Release the teaching button.
3. Trigger sensors in the correct order (you can use each sensor more than once).
4. Press the teaching button.
5. Every time you repeat the sequence, you will activate the output set. The output set will remain activated until you reset the Universal, or if the sequence is broken.
Example:
Press 6 buttons in the correct order to release the Electromagnet output set.
! After the correct sequence, there is an input blockade for 5 seconds. Then, you can reset the device.
Game Mode 3 – IMPULSE[edit | edit source]
In the IMPULSE Game Mode, triggering any of the right sensors will activate the output set for a second. The output set can be activated only once per sensor until you reset the Universal.
Setting up the IMPULSE Game Mode:
1. Press and hold the teaching button until the number 3 is displayed.
2. Release the teaching button.
3. Trigger the right sensors.
4. Press the teaching button.
5. Triggering any of the right sensors activates the output set for a second.
Example:
Triggering sensors adds 4 minutes to an external timer. Every sensor adds time only once.
Game Mode 4 – ELIMINATION[edit | edit source]
In the ELIMINATION Game Mode, you need to trigger sensors to activate the output set. The order is not important! The output set remains triggered until you reset the Universal.
Setting up the ELIMINATION Game Mode:
1. Press and hold the teaching button until the number 4 is displayed..
2. Release the teaching button.
3. Trigger the right sensors (in any order).
4. Press the teaching button.
5. Triggering selected sensors activates the output set.
Example:
Press 4 buttons in any order to turn on LED lights. The lights remain lit until you reset the Universal with an additional button or any other sensor.
This can be used when players have to touch something once, not keep button pressed all the time.
Game Mode 5 – MASTERMIND[edit | edit source]
In the MASTERMIND Game Mode, you need to guess the correct sequence basing on sound feedback played after a set number of steps (you need to connect the USB flash drive and some speakers).
Setting up the MASTERMIND Game Mode:
1. Press and hold the teaching button until the number 5 is displayed.
2. Release the teaching button.
3. Trigger sensors in the correct order (you can use each sensor more than once). Every time you trigger a sensor it counts as one step.
4. Press the teaching button to confirm the sequence.
5. Every time players trigger the set number of steps, they either solve the puzzle, or hear the sound feedback of the correct steps (the sound of the particular sensor) and the wrong steps (the "wrong step" sound file named "0248.mp3" on the USB flash drive).
Example:
Press three buttons in the order 1 - 2 - 3 (the total of 3 steps). When players try a wrong combination, e.g. 1-2-2, they will hear: 1 - 2 - "wrong step" sound - "sequence broken" sound. Once they recreate the order properly, the puzzle controller is won.
Game Mode 6 – SIMON SAYS[edit | edit source]
In the SIMON SAYS Game Mode, you need to follow a set sequence that is getting longer by one step after every completion. The puzzle is solved when the whole sequence is recreated correctly.
Setting up the SIMON SAYS Game Mode:
1. Press and hold the teaching button until the number 6 is displayed.
2. Release the teaching button.
3. Trigger sensors in the correct order (you can use each sensor more than once). Every time you trigger a sensor it counts as one step.
4. Press the teaching button to confirm the sequence.
5. After triggering any sensor, the puzzle starts and it activates a sensor - the first step of the sequence. When players trigger it, it shows another step, then another, and so on, up to the whole sequence. Once the whole sequence is recreated, the puzzle controller is won.
Example:
Press three colored buttons in the order red - blue - green. After players trigger any of the buttons, red one lights up for a moment. Players need to trigger it to see another step in the sequence: red - blue. Repeating this will show the final step: red - blue - green. Once players trigger the buttons in that order, the puzzle controller is won. If they make a mistake, they start from the start again.
Resetting the Universal puzzle controller[edit | edit source]
To reset the Universal, break the winning state with any sensor, or push the teaching button (if you hold the teaching button for too long, you will start the teaching process).
Sound features[edit | edit source]
Create puzzles with sounds[edit | edit source]
The Universal puzzle controller has an option to add sound effects to your puzzle. You can assign a sound file for each sensor and the winning state of the puzzle. All you need is a USB flash drive, included with every Universal.
Download the mp3 files here: UNIVERSAL PUZZLE CONTROLLER: SOUND FILES
Setting up MP3 files on a USB flash drive[edit | edit source]
Replace the preset MP3 files on the USB flash drive with your own MP3 files.
SENSORS:
0001.mp3-0014.mp3 - played when a sensor in the corresponding port is triggered.
SOLVED STATE*
9997.mp3 – played before activating the output sets,
9998.mp3 – played during the output activation,
9999.mp3 – played after activating the output sets.
*The length of these events is controlled by the length of the audio file.
SPECIAL:
9994.mp3 and 9996.mp3 - test audio files, played on startup,
9995.mp3– "sequence broken" (used in MODE 2 and MODE 5),
0248.mp3 – "wrong step" (used in MODE 5).
You can replace them with your own audio files, and delete the ones your puzzle doesn't need.If you need the original pre-set files, you can find them HERE.
You can use free software like Audacity to cut or extend your MP3 files.
Network features[edit | edit source]
Remote control over puzzles[edit | edit source]
Universal puzzle controllers work on their own but they can be controlled remotely. With the network support, you can win and reset the puzzle from your PC/Mac. You can even trigger single sensors to help players solve more complex puzzles.
To use the network support, you need the Escape Room Command Center software. It detects every Universal puzzle controller in the local network automatically.
Connect the Universal to the router. The device on which you’re using the Escape Room Command Center has to be connected to the same network. Then, you will see the Universal as a puzzle in the software’s Edit mode. Assign the Universal to the desired room to be able to activate and reset the puzzle remotely.
For more detailed information about Universals and Escape Room Command Center, visit our website:
https://www.escaperoomsupplier.com/electronics-ecosystem/
https://www.escaperoomsupplier.com/escape-room-software-knowledge-base/
Specifications[edit | edit source]
Frequently Asked Questions[edit | edit source]
Q: What kind of sensors can be connected to the Universal?
A: We offer many kinds of sensors that are triggered by a variety of different actions, for example pushing a button, turning a knob, touching something, putting a prop in some place, making noise, warming up a sensor…you can make virtually any puzzle with our sensors!
Q: What kind of outputs can be connected to the Universal?
A: Our output modules are potential-free, which means you can attach to it 110/240 V lights, 12/24 V electromagnets, lamps, pumps, etc. – anything with voltage up to 250 V. The maximum current is 10 A.
Q: Do I need an additional device (like PC with special software) to program the Universal?
A: No, there is no need for any additional devices or software. The teaching button on the Universal puzzle controller lets you enter the teaching mode and set up the winning combination with a single button.
Q: Can one Universal control more than one puzzle?
A: One Universal controls only one puzzle.
Q: Can one sensor trigger more than one Universal?
A: Yes, one sensor can trigger multiple Universals, but a Sensor Divider is required.
Q: Does every sensor/output set have to be connected to the Universal? Can sensors be wireless?
A: Every sensor and output set has to be connected to the Universal with included 1 m (3.2 ft) Ethernet cables. You can easily replace them with longer ones, if you need that.